Three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationships of pyrrolopyridinone as cell division cycle kinase inhibitors by CoMFA and CoMSIA.

Seventy-five 1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrrolo[3,2-C]pyridinone derivatives displaying potent activities against Cdc7 kinase were selected to establish 3D-QSAR models using CoMFA and CoMSIA methods. Internal and external cross-validation techniques were investigated as well as some measures including region focusing, progressive scrambling, bootstraping and leave-group-out. The satisfactory CoMFA model predicted a q (2) value of 0.836 and an r (2) value of 0.950, indicating that electrostatic and steric properties play a significant role in potency. The best CoMSIA model, based on a combination of steric, electrostatic and H-bond acceptor effects, predicted a q (2) value of 0.636 and an r (2) value of 0.907. The models were graphically interpreted using contour plots which provided insight into the structural requirements for increasing the activity of a compound. The final 3D-QSAR results could be used for rational design of potent inhibitors against Cdc7 kinase.